Former Shell Oil employee and 20-year resident of The Woodlands Neil Burns will challenge Rep. Kevin Brady for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, though the Democrat knows he faces a tough road in the Republican-dominated district.

Brady, R-The Woodlands, has represented Texas’ 8th District since 1997, and won by a huge margin in 2010. The district is often ranked as one of the most conservative in the entire U.S. Burns acknowledges the Republican strength of the area, but says he can win in it.

“There are enough independent voters, sleeping Democrats, and seniors in our district to win the general election if they would just go to the polls and vote,” Burns said.

If elected, Burns said, he would vote to revise unfair tax policies and close corporate tax loopholes. As a congressman, he would also vote for stronger regulations of financial institutions and protect propgrams like Medicare, Burns said.

“I will not be influenced by lobbyists or anyone intent on destroying the greatest country in the world with policies designed for special interests,” said Burns. “My platform seeks to eliminate the nation’s budget deficit and create jobs without burdening the poor, elderly or middle class.”

Burns is the only Democrat filed in the district filed with the Federal Election Commission, though two Republicans have also filed to run.